Crispin "Pen" Parungao Medina Sr. (born August 27, 1950, in Arayat, Pampanga) is a Filipino actor who started acting in theater plays in his youth. He eventually played versatile roles on the big screen and in various television shows. He became well known after getting the role of the villainous Hagorn in the 2005 fantasy television series Encantadia. He has won the Nora Aunor Ulirang Artista Lifetime Achievement Award during the 33rd PMPC Star Awards for Movies, the Best Supporting Actor Award at the 62nd FAMAS Awards, and the Best Actor Award at the 6th Cinema One Originals Film Festival.
He is also the second KFC Filipino Colonel as well as a model and painter. He is also an activist who joins rallies against those in power as well as participates in anti-vaccination and anti-mask protests amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
Early life Pen Medina was born to Eliseo Medina Sr. and Trinidad Parungao in Arayat, Pampanga on August 27, 1950. He graduated high school at Arayat Institute of Pampanga and went to different schools in colleges, which include the University of Santo Tomas, Far Eastern University, and the University of the East. He usually took up fine arts, premed, and other courses with a bachelor of arts degree but he later dropped out and pursued an acting career.
Career Theater Medina started as a theater actor and appeared in productions by Teatro Kabataan such as Ang Paglilitis ni Mang Serapio (The Trial of Old Serapio, 1977) and Nang Pista sa Aming Bayan (During Our Town's Feast, 1978). He portrayed various characters in the Cultural Center of the Philippines plays, which include Andres Bonifacio (1980) as Emilio Jacinto, Kanser (Cancer) in 1981 as Kapitan Tiago, and appeared again in 1993 as Elias, Gregorio Aglipay (1982) as Fr. Brillantes, Makinig Kayong Mabuti (Listen Carefully, 1986) as Gen. Henry Baltazar, and Ginuntuang Bayan (Shūsaku Endō's Golden Country, 1990) as Fr. Ferreira. He also appeared in stage plays at the University of the Philippines such as Patay Na si Sizwe Banzi (Athol Fugard's Sizwe Banzi Is Dead, 1986) as Styles, Tatalon (1987) as the Jeepney Driver; and Supremo (Supreme Chief, 1991) as Andres Bonifacio.
He also acted in the Metropolitan Theater appearing in plays such as Gironiere (1985) as Alila, and El Filibusterismo (Subversion, 1991, an adaptation of Jose Rizal's second novel) as Simoun. He also portrayed Rizal/Crisostomo Ibarra in Noli Me Tangere (Touch Me Not, 1986, an adaptation of Rizal's first novel) at Puerta Real. Other theaters that he performed for include Teatro Pilipino, Tanghalang Pilipino, and Bulwagang Gantimpala as well as for independent theater groups or on campus.
Film It was in the early 1980s when Medina crossed over to films. In 1982, he starred in his first film, Himala, which was headlined by Nora Aunor. He subsequently appeared in other Filipino films in the 1980s such as Karnal (Of the Flesh, 1983), Sister Stella L. (1984), Scorpio Nights (1985), Virgin Forest (1985), and Unfaithful Wife (1986). He also has several acting credits in foreign films, most notably, the 1988 Australian television film Dangerous Life, where he plays Col. Eduardo Doromal, a fictionalized character based on a historical figure during the People Power Revolution.
In the 1990s, Medina continued his film career starring in historical films and films with social relevance. He starred in the 1993 film Sakay as Lucio de Vega, a historical figure who, together with Macario Sakay, were revolutionaries fighting the Americans, and were later outlawed and hanged in 1907. In the 1998 film José Rizal, he played Paciano Mercado, the older brother of Jose Rizal. He also played Jose Rizal in the documentary film entitled Jose Rizal: Ang Buhay ng Isang Bayani (Jose Rizal: A Hero's Life, 1996), which was produced by Ateneo de Manila University. The other films in the 1990s that Pen starred in include Mumbaki (Shaman, 1996), Ligaya ang Itawag Mo sa Akin (They Call Me Joy, 1997), and Sa Pusod ng Dagat (In the Navel of the Sea, 1998).
In the Marilou Diaz-Abaya film Muro Ami (1999), Medina got his first acting award as he won Best Supporting Actor given during the 25th Metro Manila Film Festival. The film tells a story about a cruel captain named Fredo (Cesar Montano's character) who employs children for his illegal fishing business. Pen played Dado, the father of Fredo. After a year, he became one of the cast of the Joel Lamangan film Deathrow playing a booty bandit inmate named Gabino. His role earned him another Best Supporting Actor award given by the Film Academy of the Philippines in 2001. He starred as an ex-convict in another prison-themed film, Layang Bilanggo (2010), in which he garnered a Best Actor award from the 6th Cinema One Originals Film Festival.
In the 2012 film Kamera Obskura, Medina got to play the main role of Juan, a character from a lost silent film. Pen also co-wrote the script of the film.
Television After starring in stage plays and films, Medina entered television and appeared in the political satire television show Sic O'Clock News in the late 1980s. He continued to guest in other television programs, which include Goin' Bananas, and Batibot. He is also part of the cast of the television series Villa Quintana, Tabing Ilog, and Sa Puso Ko Iingatan Ka. In 2005, he starred in the fantasy series Encantadia as the main villain Hagorn, which is his most well-known television role. His other television acting credits include Joaquin Bordado, E-Boy, Be Careful With My Heart, Aso ni San Roque and FPJ's Batang Quiapo.
Activism Medina is also known as an activist who joined rallies including calling for then Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's resignation, protesting against the burial of former Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos, and protesting against the meddling of foreign governments, particularly the United States and China, over Philippine affairs. He also attended a rally against then-Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and urged protesters to love and enlighten supporters of the Duterte administration. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines, he also joined anti-vaccination and anti-mask protests saying that the COVID-19 virus "can go through any mask" and challenged critics, particularly television personality Kiko Rustia, to a debate. Rustia declined the debate because he is not a doctor and he "support(s) vaccines and the science behind it."
Personal life He is married to Victoria Aquino Chupungco and he is the father of Karl Medina, Crispin "Ping" Medina II, Alex Vincent Medina, Japs Medina, Victor Medina, Zeth Medina and JL Medina. His sons Ping and Alex, whom both had their roots in indie films, are active on local television. His other sons Karl and Victor have followed suit by taking on acting roles in other indie films as well. Pen also has children with actress Tess Antonio, with whom he has been in a live-in relationship for several years. Although Pen and Victoria separated, their marriage was never annulled.
Health In July 2022, his family announced that he has a degenerative disc disease and has been bedridden in a hospital for several weeks. He has undergone spinal surgery to treat the disease.
Filmography Film Year Title Role Source 1982 Himala Pilo 1985 Virgin Forest Macabebes member Scorpio Nights Pen 1986 Unfaithful Wife Detective Crispin Medina 1988 Hiwaga sa Balete Drive Gary 1989 Fight for Us Chief Sparrow 1990 Fatal Vacation Leader of military 1991 Shake, Rattle & Roll III Fr. Salazar 1992 Shake, Rattle & Roll IV NGO member 1993 Sakay Col. Lucio De Vega 1994 Col. Billy Bibit, RAM Datu Kiram Mars Ravelo's Darna! Ang Pagbabalik Barangay captain 1996 Dead Sure Pepe Moreno 1997 Ligaya ang Itawag Mo sa Akin Tikyo 1998 Sa Pusod ng Dagat Gusting José Rizal Paciano Rizal 1999 Muro-Ami Dado 2000 Deathrow Gabino 2003 Till There Was You Frank Boborol 2004 Naglalayag Pacio Garcia Evolution of a Filipino Family Kadyo Bcuz of U Tatay 2005 Baryoke 2007 Ang Cute ng Ina Mo! Ferdinand Marcos 2008 Banal Manalo I.T.A.L.Y. Gary Pinlac 2009 Mangatyanan Danilo Marquez 2010 Layang Bilanggo Paul Noy Nick 2012 Kamera Obskura Juan 2013 10,000 Hours Sebastian Jago 2014 Sa Ngalan ng Ama, Ina at mga Anak Erning Gangster Lolo 2016 Fruits N' Vegetables: Mga Bulakboleros Janitor at the U.P. Campus-Diliman 2017 Mang Kepweng Returns Ingkong Kapiz
Television Year Title Role Source 1987 Sic O'Clock News Various characters 1988 A Dangerous Life Col. Eduardo Doromal 1993 Noli Me Tangere Sisa's husband 1995 Bayani Datu Inong Awe Villa Quintana Felix Samonte 2000 Tabing Ilog Epifanio "Panyong" Delos Santos 2001 Sa Puso Ko Iingatan Ka Abner Araman 2005 Ang Mahiwagang Baul: Ang Alamat ng Kawayan Ermitanyo Encantadia Hagorn 2006 Encantadia: Pag-ibig Hanggang Wakas Atlantika Dr. Naval 2007 Fantastic Man Singkit Mga Kuwento ni Lola Basyang Hari Mga Mata ni Anghelita Father Joseph 2008 E.S.P. Bestre Komiks Presents: Tiny Tony Morgan Peralta Obra Joaquin Bordado Jilco Codename: Asero Dr. Tagimoro 2009 Sine Novela: Ngayon at Kailanman Venor Torres Agimat: Ang Mga Alamat ni Ramon Revilla: Tiagong Akyat Castro "Kastrong Bato" Mananquil May Bukas Pa Totoy 2010 Rod Santiago's Agua Bendita Padre Guido Carlo J. Caparas' Panday Kids Tasyo Star Confessions Joseph's father Ilumina Francisco 2011 Pablo S. Gomez's Mutya Haring Merrick Guns and Roses Philip "Tsong" Marasigan 100 Days to Heaven Tagasundo Ikaw ay Pag-Ibig Gabriel 2012 E-Boy Tatang Aso ni San Roque Ben "Mother Ben" Asino 2013 Little Champ Elmer Bayan Ko Governor Antonio Rubio Carlo J. Caparas' Dugong Buhay Armando "Amang" Bernabe Cassandra: Warrior Angel Lolo Gimo Magkano Ba ang Pag-ibig? Andoy Aguirre 2014 My BFF Gerry 2015 Oh My G! G Imbestigador: Kokey Fernando "Nading" Guevarra Alamat: Alamat ng Bayabas Haring Barabas (voice) Beautiful Strangers Levi Rodriguez Pasión de Amor Maryo 2016 FPJ's Ang Probinsyano Fernan A1 Ko Sa 'Yo Dom Domingo Karelasyon: Tenant Greg Dear Uge: Acting Dyowa Daddy Ika-6 na Utos Noel 2017 Tsuperhero Lolo Pikoy / Piccololo 2018 The Cure Rigor Wish Ko Lang!: Mistaken Identity Indo Victor Magtanggol Mr. Alcala Ngayon at Kailanman Lodi 2019 Sahaya Panglima Alari 2020 24/7 Dado Narvaez La Vida Lena Francisco "Kiko" Cabrera 2022 Love You Stranger Mayor Harry 2023- 2025 FPJ's Batang Quiapo Marciano "Marsing" Dimaculangan
Awards Year Award-giving body Category Work Result 1993 41st FAMAS Awards Best Supporting Actor Sakay 1994 18th Gawad Urian Awards Best Supporting Actor (Pinakamahusay na Pangalawang Aktor) Sakay 1999 25th Metro Manila Film Festival Best Supporting Actor Muro Ami 2001 Film Academy of the Philippines Best Supporting Actor Deathrow 2010 6th Cinema One Originals Film Festival Best Actor Layang Bilanggo 2013 39th Metro Manila Film Festival Best Supporting Actor 10,000 Hours 2014 62nd FAMAS Awards Best Supporting Actor 10,000 Hours 2017 33rd PMPC Star Awards for Movies Nora Aunor Ulirang Artista Lifetime Achievement Award N/A
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